FBI Missouri: Prepaid Phone Bulk Purchases, Propane Tank Theft Puts Police On Alert

[Purveyor]

Source: Headlines & Global News

The FBI and Missouri police are investigating the theft of propane tanks and the large-scale purchases of cellphones under the impression that they may be related and indicators of a possible terrorist attack.

By Jelani James | Dec 11, 2015 02:06 PM EST

The FBI are on high alert after several law enforcement agencies in Missouri notified the bureau of a possible terrorist attack based on possibly linked instances that have occurred in the state since November. Suspicion of a possible terrorist attack comes after large quantities of propane tanks were stolen and at least 117 prepaid cell phones were purchased from at least six different Wal-Mart stores, according to RT.

At the end of November, 18-20 propane tanks were stolen from a gas station in Lee's Summit, Mo. On the same night, the CVS on Southwest 3rd Street reported the same crime. Two weeks later, 28 tanks were stolen from a CVS on East 23rd Street on Independence. At the time, law enforcement reported receiving an urgent safety email about the thefts, according to FOX's Kansas City affiliate WDAF-TV.

This however, precedes the purchase of a large quantity prepaid cellphones in less than a week, which in combination with the propane tanks has become a cause for alarm.

"Three men with accents" purchased 59 cellphones around 3:50 a.m. at one Wal-Mart near the town of Lebanon on Nov. 28, reported CBS' Missouri affiliate KRGC-TV. Authorities reportedly talked to the men, but were allowed to leave since they couldn't be detained on legal grounds.

Read more: http://www.hngn.com/articles/159513/20151211/fbi-missouri-prepaid-phone-bulk-purchases-poprane-tank-theft-puts.htm

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[LiberalArkie]

1. I posted something about the cellphone purchases yesterday but it was laughed off

as people buying a lot of phones for Christmas or charities. I think I had a different towns listed for the cellphone purchases.


Here is what I had:

(KFVS) -
Large quantities of cell phones recently sold at Walmart stores at Jackson, Cape Girardeau, Columbia, Macon, and Lebanon, Mo. have set off some alarms.

Jackson Police Captain Rodney Barnes confirms 48 pre-paid cell phones were purchased at the Walmart in Jackson on Friday, Dec. 4.

Cape Girardeau Police Chief Wes Blair says up to 10 pre-paid cell phones were purchased the same day at the Cape Girardeau Walmart.

Both the Jackson and Cape Girardeau police departments turned over their investigations to the FBI.

[notadmblnd]

2. Seems to me that the propane tanks were stolen before the cell phones were bought

means- if the people questioned were the perps of a planned attack, they're outed and attack averted. I also think they would be under surveillance to see if they lead back to the stolen tanks as I think that they're probably being paid as abettors to the real nut jobs.

just my 2 cents.

[LiberalArkie]

3. Yea... The propane tanks may not even mean anything as a lot are stolen this time of the year

because of hunting seasons. But this year may be a warm one so it may not play into the picture.

[ToxMarz]

7. Why would the attack be averted if they are the "perps"

As long as they are free they would carry out any planned attack they have if they are able.

[notadmblnd]

8. as I said, because they're outed and should be under surveilence

If these men that bought the cell phones are the same men who stole the propane tanks and involved (or are terrorists) with the terrorists- they now know authorities are on to them.

If these terrorists were to go ahead and build some sort of bomb with the tanks and phones and commit acts of violence at this point, it would be very difficult to get away with while authorities are watching.

[ToxMarz]

12. Previous attacks suggest they aren't worried about getting away with their crimes

They are willing to die committing them, and are just happy to die trying and doing as much damage as they can if they can't complete the mission. You sound like they must be cowering in their boots because someone questioned them so they logically have abandoned all ill-intent and going forward they will be model citizens (because they are under surveillance, the terrorist achilles heel). If they are in fact dangerous, they are free and moving forward with any plans they may have.

[notadmblnd]

15. I think you just want to argue.

I have an opinion, so do you. Obviously we don't agree.

Have a good evening.

[Abouttime]

4. Scary brown people buying legal items!

Call the FBI!!!
They have accents!!

[LiberalArkie]

5. They are probably headed overseas somewhere.

[christx30]

6. People use legal items all the time

that are used for illegal things. Farook and his wife used GoPro cameras when they were gunning down their coworkers in San Bernardino.
I'm not saying freak out over the cell phones and the propane tanks. But a little caution by local law enforcement wouldn't be a bad thing here.

[PSPS]

9. Please get your facts straight

The report that they were wearing GoPro cameras was false and later retracted. All they found was GoPro packaging in the mother's car. There was no camera found anywhere.

[LiberalElite]

13. unless - the camera is one of the items

scuba search teams were looking for in a lake today.

[Marrah_G]

10. Frankly I prefer this type of investigation over war

I'm glad they are checking it out.

[Paulie]

11. Perhaps I'm in need of a calebdar

But isn't this the xmas shopping season?!?!? People buy a lot of stuff in December if I remember correctly.

[LiberalElite]

14. yeah but - 59 cellphones? That's a hell of an extended family eom

[herding cats]

17. Charities hand out prepaid cell phones all the time.

I've donated both phones and money to purchase phones to a homeless veterans program, personally.

[LiberalElite]

20. Ah. I didn't think of that. eom

[rockfordfile]

16. Hopefully they will catch the people who stole the tanks

You would think that more security would be put into places like a propane tank companies. A major failure on their part.

As for the phones, who knows sometimes people buy a lot of crap and put it on Ebay. But it seems that authorities are keeping a eye on them. Which for now is good.

[Crowman1979]

18. UPDATE: The police are on the lookout for a drunk trailer park supervisor from Canada!

Witnesses say he kept yelling about shithawks and then started singing a song about propane.

[Earth_First]

19. lol n/t

[S_B_Jackson]

21. My guess is that this is more likely associated with

a meth cooking lab rather than as prep for a terrorist attack.

[Crowman1979]

22. Or simply people selling stolen goods.